Tyrone’s New Purchasing Procedures

At the last Town Council meeting Judy Jefferson presented a bid or bids for “Phase I” improvements at Shamrock Park for approval. The agenda item was listed as “Judy Jefferson – Shamrock Park Restoration Committee Report”. The Town management did not provide any information to the taxpayers that bids were to be presented for some type of work at Shamrock Park (removal of the basketball court?). This action without public input does bring up a few questions:
Unless I missed it or it happened at one of the Councils secret meetings, Judy Jefferson is a citizen not a Town employee. How does a citizen get to go out and solicit bids on behalf of the Town? Does Ms. Jefferson’s actions comply with the Town’s purchasing regulations? This appears to be a public works type project, which are governed by State regulations, is Ms. Jefferson aware of this fact? Did Ms. Jefferson comply with the State’s regulations? Were bid documents or specifications prepared, are they on file with the Town? Was this work advertised, or did Ms. Jefferson simply call on those companies that she liked? (One of this groups criticism of the previous council and management was that local businesses could not get to bid on Town projects, it would be hypocritical if this group is doing the same thing). Did the Town Attorney approve of this type of procurement or did Ms. Jefferson just have to get Grace Caldwell’s approval? What is the Town’s liability exposure from a company that did not get the opportunity to bid, does the Town’s insurance cover this type of claims? How will the Town management hold Ms. Jefferson accountable for her actions?
The work may be needed or not, only the select few know what is being done. Shamrock Park does need to be improved but it should be done with full public disclosure. I guess the promise of “open government” was made before this Council was sworn in.

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purchase power
Submitted by rm.snell on Mon, 02/25/2008 - 8:38pm.

The only thing I object to is that there seems to be no consistancy. There needs to be some type of proceedure every time. You post what needs to be done and company submit bids. There was discussion about cleaning crews and there was no type of bid submital process. I would like to encourage the town coucil to maintain one process for each and everything they do.

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I agree with Missy Sippy
Submitted by spandishgirl on Mon, 02/25/2008 - 1:17pm.

I agree with Missy Sippy....I'm glad Ms Jefferson took things in hand and got bids! When Barney and Thelma Lou were in charge, they had MANY opportunities to help, that was their J.O.B! BUT,They couldn't be bothered! And now you have raised a topic near and dear to everyone's heart, when is your buddy ole, over paid, underworked, Thelma Lou, hitting the door? I know of NO WHERE, an uneducated person, with no back ground in running a town and a small one at that, could get a job paying $68,000.00 a year!

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spandish, I assume you mean Valerie
mudcat's picture
Submitted by mudcat on Mon, 02/25/2008 - 8:24pm.

Is she still there? I have never encounterd a ruder and more clueless civil servant in my life. My business with the town last year could have helped quite a bit, but she drove me and my client away with her behavior and superior attitude. The people of Tyrone need and deserve better.

The salary is not really the issue, but the competence and attitude should be. Let's think seriously about cutting her loose and getting someone with a personality to be the face of Tyrone.

Why can't that be done? like - next week.


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Hey Mudcat
Submitted by Dawn Hassel on Tue, 02/26/2008 - 10:56pm.

The Tyrone council was given a petition with four hundred plus signatures two months ago requesting that Valerie be fired for the reasons you listed. I'm wondering why they haven't acted on that? In addition there's a forensic audit of the ''mess'' the books and records are in going on now. Valerie's the one who keeps the books and records. If they're in a ''mess'', isn't it her fault? Push the Council to act on the petition.

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Why can't that be done? like - next week?
Submitted by spandishgirl on Tue, 02/26/2008 - 8:18am.

Thank you Mudcat, we agree. It is hatefull the way the locals are treated and we pay the salery. It is embarrassing when outsiders see it. Fayette county employees are always nice and bend over backwards to help. Do you think maybe we should send Thelma Lou to Fayette county charm school?

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In fact...
Submitted by spandishgirl on Mon, 02/25/2008 - 1:32pm.

I think Barney... and.... Thelma should head on up the road to Palmetto. None have forgotten the abuse they suffered at her hands.
A trip to Fayette county government offices for any info and how nice they are to you, only makes the memories of Thelma all that harder to swallow. I for one think my tax dollars are wasted paying her to do nothing.

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How did Judy Jefferson go get bids?
Submitted by Missy-Sippy on Mon, 02/25/2008 - 10:57am.

To you Shaquita, its called a coup d’etat, and the revolution has just begun. The ultimate goal is the coup de grace, a final death blow to the failings of the old administration. When representative government is unresponsive to its citizens, they take matters into their own hands, and start getting things done. Its beside the point, whether or not, Ms. Jefferson has any official permission. She did it, so that’s that. More power to the people. If its bothers you so much, why don’t you pay a lawyer to do something about it? King Barry & Queen Valerie never bothered to follow procedures. So for one I’m please that Ms. Jefferson did it, however she did it.

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Missy Sippy and spandishgirl Focus
Submitted by Shaquita on Mon, 02/25/2008 - 10:43pm.

Missy Sippy and your pal spandishgirl seem to have issues. Every time anyone says anything about this new administration, you start with the personal attacks. Is this your attempt to divert attention from the real problem? If I don’t like a blog should I start talking about the Mayor’s wife’s hats? Blaming the old administration for all the shortcomings of this new group is pretty lame.

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Shquita/Smella
Submitted by spandishgirl on Tue, 02/26/2008 - 8:10am.

You were calling people flying monkeys and the wizard of ozz last week so I'm not sure how to take it when you say we make personal attacks. We are talking about a well established fact that a certain public servant is overpaid, rude and doesn't do their job. Even people that don't live here, like Mudcat, are complaining. That is not a personal attack. It is a fact.

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Shaquita
Submitted by Boo on Mon, 02/25/2008 - 2:42pm.

Also Judy Jefferson is not covered by Tyrone insurance, so I guess you'll have to sue her personally Shaquita. Or maybe you could pull a Valerie and have her arrested. The majority of people are more concerned about getting Valerie fired and correcting bad zoning laws. You are just a voice in the wilderness.

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